Less distance means more freedom: you can breakfast on Benidorm’s skyscraper skyline and still greet sunset from Calpe’s Peñón d’Ifac without rushing. Below you’ll find every way to hop between the two—plus a nudge toward holiday rentals in Calpe, be that a beachfront flat or a hillside villa with its own pool.
Why This Micro-Hop Matters
Day-trippers: Benidorm’s nightlife + Calpe’s nature reserve in one lazy loop.
Swappers: Many travellers land at Benidorm’s hotels, realise they crave calmer seas, and relocate to a flat for rent in Calpe mid-holiday.
Digital nomads: Work in Benidorm’s coworking cafés, recharge in a villa for rent in Calpe each evening.
With just two dozen kilometres in between, it’s a commute you can repeat as often as tapas breaks require.
Distance & Drive Time Explained
Straight-line distance: ~22 km / 14 mi.
Road distance (fastest route): ~25 km / 16 mi via the N-332 coast road or AP-7 motorway.
Average driving time: 25–30 minutes in normal traffic, up to 40 minutes Sunday evening when weekenders head home.
Good to know: the AP-7 has been toll-free along the Costa Blanca since January 2020, so whichever route your sat-nav suggests, your wallet stays zipped.
Transport Options – Pick Your Style
1. Self-Drive (Fastest & View-Friendly)
Leave Benidorm’s Levante beach, merge onto the N-332 northbound and watch the Mediterranean unroll beside your window. This coast road is slower on paper but prettier in reality: expect orange-grove perfume, a quick glimpse of Altea’s blue-domed church and that signature “whoa” when Calpe’s limestone rock bursts into view.
Route alternatives
AP-7 motorway: marginally quicker, dual carriageway all the way.
N-332: single carriageway, prettier, occasional roundabouts.
Parking in Calpe improved in 2024 with a new underground lot by Arenal-Bol beach—first 45 minutes free. Most Calpe holiday rentals bundle a private space or resident permit.
2. ALSA Coach (Cheapest & Comfy)
ALSA runs direct coaches roughly every four hours year-round. Benidorm Estación de Autobuses → Calpe bus station runs about 25 minutes for €2.90 when booked online.
Buy tickets: ALSA app (QR boarding), the yellow vending machines, or the driver (cash/card).
Best seat: right-hand side for sea views after Altea.
Heads-up: in July – August, late-morning departures pack out—reserve early.
3. TRAM Line 9 (Most Scenic)
The narrow-gauge TRAM d’Alacant glides cliff edges and corkscrews through pine forests; photographers swear by it. Board at Benidorm Intermodal and 35 minutes later you step onto Calpe station’s modest platform.
Frequency: hourly in high season, every two hours off-peak.
Cost: €2.80 single (2025 fare).
Last mile: 15-minute walk downhill to the seafront or a €6 taxi.
4. Taxi & Rideshare (Door-to-Door)
Taxi: around €35–€40 fixed fare; metered price within the same band.
BlaBlaCar: €3–€5 if a local’s making the run—expect most listings Friday PM & Monday AM.
Making the Trip Count – Three Micro-Stops
Altea Old Town – detour five minutes off the N-332 for cobbled streets and a coffee beneath blue tiles.
Mirador de Mascarat – roadside pull-off on the AP-7/old N-332 viaduct; Instagram awaits.
Les Bassetes Marina – two kilometres south of Calpe; grab snorkels or paddleboards before final docking.
Frequently Asked 2025 Questions
Is the AP-7 still toll-free between Benidorm and Calpe?
Yes—Spain’s transport ministry has extended the toll-free period until at least February 2026.
Can I cycle the route?
Absolutely. A segregated shoulder along sections of the N-332 makes the 25 km spin popular with winter training camps. Allow 75–90 minutes if you’re semi-fit.
Does the ALSA bus allow bikes or surfboards?
Folding bikes bagged up—yes. Full-size bikes or boards need the larger airport-line coaches, not this regional service.
Any chance the TRAM is replaced by bus this year?
Line 9 works wrapped in early 2025; the full Benidorm ↔ Dénia stretch is now open daily. Always check the TRAM app the evening before, just in case.
Where should I stay if I plan to commute both ways?
Split your nights: three in a buzzing Benidorm high-rise, four in a tranquil villa for rent in Calpe above Puerto Blanco. Best of both worlds.
Find Your Base – Holiday Rentals in Calpe
The shorter the distance, the easier the relocation. If Benidorm’s energy thrills you by night but you crave quieter coves come dawn, secure a foothold in Calpe:
Sea-front apartments at Playa Arenal-Bol – prime sunrise seats.
Old-town flats for rent in Calpe – tapas out the door, Peñón views from the rooftop.
Villas for rent on Maryvilla hill – private pools, jacuzzi decks and that “floating above the Med” sensation.
Browse our curated list of holiday rentals in Calpe, filter by flat or villa, and lock in your coastal HQ before word spreads.
